Qatar and UAE adopt ghost fleet tactics for LNG shipments
Qatar and the United Arab Emirates have begun switching off automatic tracking systems on liquefied natural gas carriers as vessels transit the Strait of Hormuz. The move involves disabling AIS transponders, which normally broadcast a ship’s identity and position, allowing the ships to move with reduced visibility in one of the world’s most sensitive maritime corridors.
The change comes after months of disruption to regional energy flows linked to escalating tensions involving Iran. Shipping activity through the Strait of Hormuz has faced repeated pressure, with heightened security risks affecting LNG routes out of key export hubs. Operators have adjusted procedures to keep cargoes moving despite the instability surrounding the passage.
Operations at Qatar’s Ras Laffan terminal, one of the largest LNG export facilities globally, were severely affected after security incidents and reported attacks linked to regional conflict dynamics. Output and exports slowed significantly, forcing buyers in South Asia, including India, Bangladesh and Pakistan, to rely more heavily on volatile spot market supplies. The shift has increased costs and reduced predictability for importers dependent on Gulf LNG shipments.
Shipping practices have also evolved in response to these risks. Some vessels now transit in pairs for added security, while crews with higher risk tolerance are assigned to sensitive routes. In isolated cases, recruitment patterns have shifted toward labor networks previously associated with sanctioned maritime logistics systems. These adjustments mirror operational methods used in other contested shipping environments where tracking suppression and convoy movement have been observed.
Energy analysts warn that the pattern could persist as long as tensions around the Strait of Hormuz remain unresolved. Limited vessel movements have resumed, with empty LNG carriers returning to loading terminals in preparation for new cargo cycles, but overall flows remain below pre-crisis levels.
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